From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2026)—After being declared a non-starter in his debut, Start the Ride ran down even-money favorite Sammy Davis inside the final furlong and won the $175,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby Saturday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Armando Ayuso, Start the Ride (13-1) is a homebred colt by Upstart for owner-breeder Harris Farms. He is trained by Dan Blacker, who about 30 minutes earlier also won the California Cup Oaks with Cee Drew.
”I know John is here in spirit,” said Darren Filkins, CEO of Harris Farms. “We have a lot of people in Coalinga and Singer, and a lot of people have said Harris Farms is going away. We are not going away. Harris Farms is here and we are excited to keep running. This is part of the heritage and legacy that Harris is going to continue. This one is for John.”
Sammy Davis, who was making his two-turn debut for trainer John Sadler, broke on the lead but jockey Hector Berrios allowed 50-1 longshot Almost There. Sammy Davis bided his time on the inside before taking the lead entering the second turn and then opening up his advantage to the quarter pole.
But with the additional distance still ahead of Sammy Davis, he began to falter. Start the Ride gradually cut into his lead in the stretch and then surged to the front to win going away by 1 ¾ lengths. Sammy Davis held second by 1 ½ lengths over Pavlovian (11-1).
Start the Ride won in a time of 1:44.55 following fractions of 23.69, 48.38, 1:12.69 and 1:38.18.
“I’m just really thankful to everyone at Harris Farms,” said Blacker. “There was a point in my career where I had like four horses and they were all Harris Farms, so I owe them a lot. I’m really proud to win a big race for Harris Farms in John’s memory it’s a big deal and I’m very proud.”
When attempting to debut on Nov. 16 at Del Mar going a mile, Start the Ride was declared a non-starter after the assistant starter held on to his reins for too long after the gates opened. He was 13 lengths back in last through the opening quarter mile that day before rallying to cross the wire in fourth.
“He’s a pretty nice colt, we have always been high on him since he was a youngster,” said Jonny Hilvers, Harris Farms general manager. “We are just so happy he could get it done here today and very happy Mrs. Harris and friends could be here to celebrate it. “I think John (Harris) was definitely riding him that last sixteenth of a mile and got him there.”
Start the Ride paid $29.20, $12.40 and $7.20. Sammy Davis returned $3.80 and $2.80. Pavlovian, with Mirco Demuro aboard for trainer Doug O’Neill, paid $4.80.
“The stretch in this race was wonderful,” said jockey Armamdo Ayuso. “The more ground you give him, the better he is. I knew he couldn’t wait to go all the way. I was just comfortable with the way he ran. He put me in a good position, and he was really brave when I asked him to go between the horses. I love this horse.”